New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson was hospitalized as a precaution after falling off a podium at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Atlanta, Ga., shortly after helping to present the city's case for the Super Bowl LII bid.

After speaking to the team's other owner, the 86-year-old tripped while stepping down from the podium and fell, hitting his head.

Benson was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons before he was allowed to fly back to New Orleans on Tuesday evening.

"Following my presentation, I accidentally tripped, and hit my head, having had knee surgery just over a week ago," Benson said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. "Out of an abundance of caution the doctors wanted to clear me before we fly back home tonight."

"As he was turning, he just lost his balance and fell. Fortunately, he appears to be fine," commissioner Roger Goodell said. "I think it was a precautionary step to take him to the hospital. Our thoughts are with Tom Benson's family right now. The initial reaction looks very positive. I spoke to him in the back before he left."